Mark T. Karner

Mark T. Karner, 62, Rockford, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 7, 2022 in his home. Born September 14, 1959 in Chicago, son of Alan J. and Barbara Donnelly Karner. Mark graduated from Prospect High School and received his Juris Doctor from Illinois Institute of Technology-Kent College of Law. Shortly after graduating from law school, he joined the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office in 1989. During his 16 year tenure, he made a name for himself prosecuting high profile criminal cases. He also served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois for years. He was presently a Deputy Chief with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department where he was in charge of the Sheriff’s Civil Process Division, 911 and was heading the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office. He was a member of several professional organizations including the Illinois Bar Association, Winnebago County State’s Attorney Association, National District Attorneys Association and Illinois Appellate Prosecutors Association.
Mark loved his family and was his family’s protector. They turned to him for his raw, honest, unbiased advice. He was generous to a fault with a kind, soft heart. Mark believed in justice and was very fair and conscientious about his work. He had a good sense of humor while being a good listener and supportive to those he loved. Mark was an avid Chicago Cubs Fan and Green Bay Packer Fan.
Survivors include his children: Joey (Bianca Flowers) Karner, Alexis (John Fultz III) Karner and Kelsey Karner; grandchildren, Shawn, Sawyer, Parker, Janayah, Jamari, Natalie, Jakobe and Armani; mother, Barbara Karner; sister, Vicki (Michael) Hemrich; brother, John Karner; nieces and nephews, Kirsten (Nathan) Hemrich, Michael (Haley) Hemrich and Kyra Hemrich as well as his much loved dog, Lucy. Predeceased by his father, Alan; maternal grandparents, Alice and Thomas Donnnelly and paternal grandparents Virginia and Joseph Karner.
A funeral service to honor Mark will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St. with Rev. William R. Wentink officiating. Visitation from 3-8 pm on Monday, February 14, 2022 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and from 9 a.m. until service time at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carrie Lynn Children’s Center, 826 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103 or Greg Lindmark Foundation, P.O. Box 91, Roscoe, IL 61073. Send condolences or share a memory at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.